Fishing column: Rain stops and the fish come out

When the weather cleared, anglers chasing bass found decent numbers of 30 and 40-pound fish waiting for them. Blues and fluke are also showing around the Island, and sea bass, ling and cod are showing on the offshore wrecks. Fluke fishermen say lots of shorts are being caught and released locally along with some keepers.

From Travis at Michael’s Bait and Tackle, Great Kills, we learn the crew from Michael’s took first place in the Manhattan Cup Live Release Division with a 33.95-pound bass caught by Brian Pieros off Sandy Hook aboard Matt Lunuzzi’s Free Roll captained by John Kubrak.

Boaters have been doing well with the bass with Walter Fisher weighing in a 43.30-pounder, Frank Noto a 42.95-pounder and Frankie Fama a 34.75-pounder. Good numbers of big blues and fluke are showing along the beaches along with some bass.

Paul at Great Kills Bait and Tackle says lots of blues and some bass are showing in the Bay and along beaches days. The best bass action has been after sunset with the beaches and waters around the Bridge, Roamer Light and Old Orchard Light producing fish. On the fluke scene, bucktails and spearing have been producing fish from the shallow waters off of New Dorp Beach and off of Sandy Hook.

Patty at Scag’s Bait and Tackle, New Brighton, reports regulars have been catching mixed bags of bass and blues from the waters off of the Terrace, in front of the Ballpark and off the St. George Fishing Pier.

On the fresh water scene, Patty reports regulars have been catching and releasing good numbers of nice sized largemouth bass from Silver Lake. Catfish, sunnies and some bass are showing at Allison Pond, and Clove Lake is producing catfish, sunnies and carp.

From Captain Earl of the Atlantis Marina-based Atlantis Princess we learn they have been picking away at the fluke on the day trips with mostly shorts showing along with a fair number of keepers.

The night trips have been running hot and cold with the anglers on last Friday’s trip making a nice catch of bass and blues. The Princess is currently fluke fishing on a half-day schedule Thursday to Sunday and sailing for bass and blues on Friday and Saturday night. Earl says reservation are needed for the July 4th Hudson River Fire Work Trip.

Captain Joe from Outcast Charters reports Thursday’s charter landed a fair number of bluefish and two bass to 20-pounds on bunker chunks. Sunday’s charter made a decent catch of bluefish on chunks.

Captain Tom of the Atlantic Highlands Atlantic Star said fluking has improved with fares landing a mix of shorts and keepers. More shorts than keepers. Pool winners have ranged to 4-pounds.

From Captain Tony of the Sheepshead Bay based Marilyn Jean IV we learn the weekend trips produced nonstop action with ling, sea bass, flounder, a couple of cod and some bluefish landed. The night trips have been producing more stripers lately to go along with the big Jamaica Bay blues.  